WASHINGTON – Michael Jordan likes Popeye Jones, but the Wizards have not decided whether to re-sign their rugged starting power forward.

The Knicks’ chances of a sign-and-trade for a free agent big man such as Raef LaFrentz or Michael Olowokandi are slim. Signing a free agent such as the 6-9, 250-pounder for part of their $4.9 mid-level exception may be the best they can do this summer.

An aggressive rebounder, Jones, who had 11 points and nine boards in 26 minutes last night with GM Scott Layden on hand, makes $1.7M this season. He’s ninth in the league in rebounds per minute (14.4 per 48).

His agent, Kyle Rote, said that Jones will test the market. The Wizards want to start Kwame Brown next season.

“If the Knicks are looking to upgrade in that position, he should get consideration,” Rote said.

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Cavs’ loss assured Knicks of finishing with the seventh worst record, which will give them a 4.4 percent chance of winning the top pick and 15.3 percent chance of getting into the critical top-three with a shot at Yao Ming, Jason Williams or Drew Gooden.

Allan Houston said he hopes Knick brass sets a strategy when it attempts to reconfigure the roster.

“If something happens, you want to see some direction,” Houston said. “You want to see something of where the goal is, want to see a strategy.”